Jim Musser's High Five for the week

Mar. 12, 2013

Tracy Grammer

CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. S.E., Cedar Rapids

7 p.m. today, $14 ADV/$17 door

When Dave Carter died suddenly after a morning jog 11 years ago, the world was deprived of one it’s most soulful and spiritual songwriters, and singer/multi-instrumentalist Tracy Grammer lost her life- AND professional partner. The duo’s immaculate music lives on in recordings, but also in Grammer’s steadfast dedication to Carter’s works through nonstop touring and intimate, heartfelt interpretation.

A truly remarkable singer whose stage presence seems lit from within.

Robotic Pirate Monkey et al

Blue Moose Tap House, 21l Iowa Ave.

8 p.m. doors Friday, $10 ADV/$13 door

Quirky electronic trio (Andrew Hathaway, Matt Flesher, Matt Berryhill) out of Boulder has flooded YouTube with tracks from multiple albums and EPs, plus shows eclectic tastes and eccentric humor with remixes as diverse as the Rolling Stones’ “She’s Like A Rainbow,” Lil Wayne’s “Steady Mobbin’,” Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and even a couple by Modest Mouse.

Fellow travelers Kicks N Licks (from San Diego) and Jimmy Burns open.

Alash

CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. S.E., Cedar Rapids

8 p.m. Sunday, $14 ADV/$17 door

Masters of the weirdly-fascinating vocal technique called Tuvan throat-singing (sort of like a didgeridoo meeting an artificial voice-box), this otherworldly quartet from the Siberian Republic of Tuva have spread the word internationally, even working with intergalactic travelers the Sun Ra Arkestra along the way.

St. Patrick's Day Massacre XI

Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St.

Noon Sunday (to 2 a.m.), $5 cover

Normally one of Iowa City’s most delightfully subversive holidays, St. Paddy’s gets doubly de-clawed by landing on Sunday AND the start of spring break, so there’s little to escape via the green beer trapdoor.

Still, Gabe’s parties on bravely, with music by Item 9 & the Mad Hatters, American Honey, Gone South, Unnamed Acoustic, Home-Grown and TBA.

Mac DeMarco

The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.

9 p.m. Tuesday, $8 ADV/$10 door

Still only 23 years old, Vancouver, BC’s talented, mercurial DeMarco released some nutty DIY basement poppers right out of high school as Makeout Videotape, added a pair of musicians and jumped out on tour with hipster/monster guys Japandroid a year later.

Fast-(FAST!)forward, there’s a solo EP and — already — TWO solo discs, and he seems to be closing in on a personal style.

The exquisitely-named Naomi Punk and Calvin Love also share this bill.